I have been fat every day of my life since I was born. I’m not just talking a few pounds overweight. I’m talking – I gained a pound in the hospital when I was born – fat. For real. And I’ve always been ok with being fat. I’ve never allowed the fact that my body has more fat than the average bear (or person) stop me from doing what I’ve wanted to do. I’ve traveled all around the world. I’ve performed in front of people. I’m a trial lawyer, for the love. I’m very confident in front of people and confident in myself and my abilities. I own my badassery. Fat & all. Except…I do not wear shorts.

I can’t remember the last time I wore shorts in public. Rolled up jeans – yes. Dresses with panty hose – yes. (I know. I’m old school in court.) Yoga capri pants – yes. But no shorts. I was probably 14 years old the last time I wore real shorts out in public. And that is absolutely ridiculous.

This all hit me in the dressing room on a Tuesday evening while I was trying on spring dresses for work. Dressing rooms are generally bad places. Bad lighting. Bad mirrors. You’re enclosed in a little box room with clothes that don’t fit. It’s not usually the spot where you expect to have an eye-opening experience. Or maybe it is.

I stood there looking at a pair of shorts I grabbed off the rack right before walking into the dressing room. I loved the pattern. And I always wanted to wear cute shorts. But I did not have the body for wearing shorts. So I thought I’d try them on and remind myself why fat people shouldn’t wear such things.

And there it hit me. What in the hell was this crap I was thinking? Who decided that I didn’t have the body for shorts? Yes. I have fat legs and hips. But does that mean I can’t wear shorts?

Thinking back, I think it was more about how I thought I would appear to other people than what I thought I’d look like. And that is a trap of epic proportions. Anytime you focus on what other people think instead of what you think – you are a slave to their opinions. And that is a life that I refuse to live. (See In the Danger Zone) Ultimately, no matter how confident I am in other areas of my life, I have been allowing my fat to determine my confidence, or lack thereof, in some of my choices. And that’s not ok. As long as I like it and feel good in what I’m wearing, then I’m going to wear it. And you should too!

Here’s why:

1. It’s YOUR body.

What you put on your body is your business. What you do with your body is your business. Whether you wear skirts or shorts or crop tops is your business. You are in charge of your body. Period. It doesn’t matter if you have a short body or tall body or fat body or skinny body. It’s yours. My fat legs carry me wherever I need to go. My jiggly arms reach and do whatever I need them to. There are some people who don’t have that privilege. Appreciate your body. Love your body. Honor your body. Werk your body.

2. Other people’s opinions don’t matter.

If someone doesn’t like what you wear, it’s their problem. Anyone that tries to make you feel bad about yourself is not a friend. Good people support each other and encourage each other to be confident and fabulous. If someone reacts negatively to the fact that you are wearing shorts or whatever it is that you want to wear, then the only thing that needs to be removed is that person from your head space and maybe your life. Byeeeeeeeee!

3. Make yourself happy.

You cannot please everyone. If you try, you’ll make yourself insane. The only person you have any shot of making happy is yourself. So do that. Wear what makes you happy. Wear what makes you switch (also known as walking with a purpose and a “damn I’m awesome” air). Wear what makes you smile. Life is hard enough without sweating your behind off.

To be honest I’ve never understood why other “fat” people don’t wear shorts. I have been overweight for a very long time and IT GETS HOT. I cannot stand being too warm, it turns me into a total dick. Ok more of one. I know that I’m in the minority on the whole shorts thing though.

You don’t need my approval to wear what makes you happy but either way you look damn cute.

You look adorb in those shorts! You know, as I get older and put on more weight, I wonder more about what people will think when I wear shorts, but I must not care too much because I’m rocking some shorts right now. Haha! This really was a great post 🙂

I absolutely love this post! You go girl! As long as you feel good in your skin and practice healthy habits that’s all that matters. And those shorts look so cute on you. And you’re right, dressing room lighting absolutely sucks!!! Keep being you xo

Yas! This is such an important post. Who cares what other people think?! It’s your both and you rock it how you want to. Not enough people get that. So thanks for using your platform to remind everyone to wear what they want and everyone else can STFU.

Good for you – I’m a very “large” woman and I wear shorts… and even… bathing suits in the summer – I live in Florida so it is a must! Be good to yourself – you are learning to love yourself! Good for you!

I have the opposite problem I have always been underweight. I did not wear my first pair of shorts until I was 19 and I still will not wear a bathing suit. Good for you for taking the leap I was so happy when I did, I now love shorts.

I am also a member of the does-not-wear-shorts club, but it’s not so much an issue with my body (I’m an acceptable level of tiny for a mid-20s blonde gay boy) as it is weirdly uncomfortable. I feel super exposed and weird when my legs are bare.

Except that I moved to the middle of the desert, where it’s going to start being 90+ degrees all day every day within a month or two, so I’m going to have to rethink this.

I think you look super cute in those shorts! And they are a gorgeous pattern too! I have to admit I am not a huge fan of shorts, I have yet to find a pair that suits me, and I am addicted to my jeans, but I would totally wear these!

The shorts look great on you. I think you should wear whatever you want as long as you feel happy and comfortable.

When I went to Florida, I packed shorts because of the weather. I usually only wear skirts and dresses. Wearing them made me so self conscious that I went and bought a load of dresses for the rest of the holiday! I should have known better. I’m just not good with shorts or jeans, even if I’m at a low weight.

I think it’s just down to what you are comfortable with and not to give a damn what anyone else or society tells you or expects of you.

Great post and idea to relate confidence and choices back to shorts. Love the confidence is a muscle that has to be worked – that is one of my “weaker” muscles. This post is so beneficial for people struggling with other’s opinion so great for putting it out there. Can’t wait to read what you are writing and doing in those shorts this summer!!

It’s not only shape but age that this relates to!! My mom constantly criticizes herself that she has these “veins’ on her legs—-and I keep reminding her that her legs are fabulous! Great reminder to us all!!
I’m assuming you bought those shorts—they’re fabulous! jodiehttp://www.jtouchofstyle.com

i was really inspirated by your blog. I also struggle with my body.. i think my upper legs are too big that my legs are too white.. but by readying this i feel better and i will wear that short with my white legs. Thank you Sarah, you look very good in that short

Well, this is a good read, especially that it inspires people to love their body more whatever size and shape they have. It also helped me to increase my self-esteem on wearing short despite having a large constitution.

Hugs, hugs, and more hugs and then some tears! You have made my day and I hope to one day have the confidence that you have. Own those shorts because they look fantastic on you! I also love that pattern!